Forums > Preparing for your babyPage 1 <> 37by: ***JEN***

re: To Buy, or Not to buy...that is the question.

posted 24th Sep '07

Travel system – Not a must but convenient. Cost about 150 and up, but the car seat is a lot easier to attach then trying to move a newborn, plus stroller aren’t ready made for newborns. You can get a three in one car seat for about 120 and up, and an umbrella stroller (the little fold up ones) for about 10, but again unless you want to carry the baby for the first six months you may get more use out of the travel system

Diaper Pails – While we all know we need a trash can or some sort. A $5 can from Walmart and cheap bags, or and expensive can from the baby department with expensive refills. Chances are half the diapers will end up in your kitchen trash, and the smell just depends on you changing the bag.

Carrier packs and slings – Depends on you. I have had a lot of people tell me the love the slings, especially with infants, as for the packs, I’m looks for the front and back ones, the back is more comfortable in my opinion but your suppose to keep them in front till like twenty pound or so.

Diaper Bags – everyone says Bigger is Better, I’m breastfeeding so I don’t need extra space for formula and bottles. You can use a small bag for short trips (say the grocery store) but that when you know you won’t be out long enough to need more than one diaper (have three in case) the blanket you have him wrapped up in, and a bottle and a few toys. Of course you still need to make sure you have at least on change of clothes in there just in case. The bigger one is for the rest of the time, but it may be easier and cheaper to just get the big one.

Highchair – Again all on you. It’s not a need but it’s nice to have.

Swaddle Outfits – who came up with these anyways? Just wrap her in a normal blanket, it will save you so much money.

Bassinet – Ok the only reason I want one, is I don’t have enough room in my room for the crib and I’m not sleeping with my baby in my bed. (I’ve broken my husbands nose three times now well sleeping). Other options laundry basket stuffed with blankets just a safe and cheaper, need something taller put it on the dresser, if your worried about it moving get a slip proof mat for underneath. Or use a dresser draw, as idea. Both work great till the baby is 30 to 40 pounds which by that time you probably have them in the crib sleeping most of the way through the night anyways

Bouncer – remember some kid just won’t like them, but they are good to keep a baby clam for a few minute maybe longer

Playpen – so many options, works as a pen to keep the kid safe and out of your hair, a crib for naps, a time out pen as they get older, and it travels too. A good investment especially for crawlers

Car seats – infant ones (stage 1) are usually up to 20 pound and rear facing only, Transitional (stage 2) are 15-50 forward facing, and then toddler (or stage three) 40 and up the booster seat.
The “three in one” can be set rear or forward facing that reclines for infants, and has strap guide on the side to use with the car seat belt at stage three.
Think about it 3 seats at $60 plus each (180 or more total) or one that starts at 120. I was given most of mine I have two infant, one stage ½ convertible and two toddler, but for convinance I need three of each (my car, hubbies car, and grandma cars)
I only need two more stage 2 and one more stage three, but that’s a lot of car seats and if I can I’m going to get at least 1 “three in ones” for grandma, and hopefully two for me (I just don’t want to tote extra car seats about. I already I have more then I know at to do with.
However if money is tight or you already have an infant seat get a stage 2/3 to save money, but remember you’ll need the stage 2 at like six months and some kids don’t need a stage 3 until like three years (both of my friends just got stage three car seats and both have three year olds

Most everything you think about buying consider this.
How long will they use it for?
Is there a combo (like the car seats) that will save me money in the future?
Do I want something small and easy to tote or will the big one get more use (strollers)?
Is there something else I can use that’s cheaper? (ie blankets or trash can)
Do I really need this, or is it just a convianace?

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I have 1 child & 2 angel babies & live in California

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Ty & Gwen's Mommy

1582 posts

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posted 26th Sep '07

For adjusting the infant seat bases- buy a foam pool noodle (you know, those bright colored tube things) and cut it down to about a foot or so in length. Chop it down width-wise from there until the gauge on the side of the carseat is in the proper area. That's what the firemen did when they installed our bases.

Diaper pails- we LOVED our Diaper Dekor until the first set of bags ran out. It contained odors incredibly well until then. After we changed the bags the first time, it stunk to high heaven. The seal just wasn't as good anymore.

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I have 3 kids & live in Washington

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Leigh{30+}

10500 posts

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posted 28th Sep '07

We like and use our diaper genie. I bought refills at costco and they were 3 for 8.99. We didn't need it until our child was into solid foods around 5 months old. We used our convertible system quite a bit until she outgrew the car seat. Then we just used the stroller, which we are still using (our daughter just turned 1). Additionally, we did have to buy the convertible seat. All of these were worth the money to us. I am pregnant again and plan to use all of these items with baby #2!

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I have 3 kids & live in Pennsylvania

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momma autumn.

620 posts

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posted 28th Sep '07

Cowgirl47429 wrote: Things not to get:

Carseat stroller combo ----- Use a reg stroller, they are usually lighter and easier to handle and the kid grows out of the infant seat fast anyways and the infant seat fits on a shopping cart. Also seperate is usually cheaper. You will need the money for diapers.
i found this very handy instead of having to take my son out of his carseat and placeing him in a stroller esp when he was to little to sit in the reg stroller and now he will be 3 soon we still put him in the bigger stoller when we go to like the zoo its very roomy under so it holds the BIG DIAPER BAG

Diaper Pails ----- They are not "odorless" as they claim to be. Want to lessen the smell tie the diaper in a grocery bag and toss it in the reg trash. i agree with you here they are pointless the arent odorless so your babys room smells like poop

Play Mats ----- Use a thick blanket and put toys down work the same. you can find some that arent expensive and when you baby isnt rolling over a ton than they can lay on there back and hit the things that hang down

Bassinet ----- Can be nice but most cribs are on wheels so you can move them from room to room. its easier having a small bassinet in your room the luggin a huge crb especially if you dont have the room in your bdrm for it

.

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I have 2 kids & live in Munford, Tennessee

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Cowgirl47429

10748 posts

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posted 28th Sep '07

qtrthenu05 wrote:
Cowgirl47429 wrote: Things not to get:

Play Mats ----- Use a thick blanket and put toys down work the same. you can find some that arent expensive and when you baby isnt rolling over a ton than they can lay on there back and hit the things that hang down
.

I didnt mean like play gyms for when they are reaching out for things and kicking them. i am talking about the play mat that go on the floor for belly time.

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I have 4 kids & live in Alaska

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momma autumn.

620 posts

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posted 29th Sep '07

Cowgirl47429 wrote:
qtrthenu05 wrote:
Cowgirl47429 wrote: Things not to get:

Play Mats ----- Use a thick blanket and put toys down work the same. you can find some that arent expensive and when you baby isnt rolling over a ton than they can lay on there back and hit the things that hang down
.

I didnt mean like play gyms for when they are reaching out for things and kicking them. i am talking about the play mat that go on the floor for belly time.

ok gotcha - yea i think thoose are pointless

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I have 2 kids & live in Munford, Tennessee

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joyful522

6837 posts

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posted 2nd Oct '07

Cowgirl47429 wrote:

Water Proof Lap Pads ------ Not really usful untill they are potty training and used really only in the carseat.

LOL i always wondered what lap pads were for!!

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I have 1 child & 1 angel baby & live in Yukon, Oklahoma

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Cowgirl47429

10748 posts

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posted 3rd Oct '07

joyful522 wrote:
Cowgirl47429 wrote:

Water Proof Lap Pads ------ Not really usful untill they are potty training and used really only in the carseat.

LOL i always wondered what lap pads were for!!

lmao. I was the same way. I got a bunch from a baby shower with my daughter and never could figure out why someone would need them but two years later when she was being potty trainned I started putting them in her booster seat and worked like a charm without having to put pull-ups on her everytime we went somewhere so my car wouldn't get messed up. Even then though I only needed one or two and the rest went to waste.

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I have 4 kids & live in Alaska

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Miranda ♥'s AC & JD

21669 posts

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posted 4th Oct '07

Yeah, I have one and it's not needed to much. I think it's more of a hassle and I rather just take out the diapers as soon as possible. Its nice to have though and a pretty for the nursery ; )

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I'm due November 12th (a boy), have 2 kids & live in Iowa

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inkedmama198432 posts

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posted 24th Oct '07

DoveloSono wrote: How about those travel systems (stroller/car seat)...? How long does the baby actually get to sit in the car seat before she is too big? Are they actually worth the money? Should I just buy separates?

hey the travel system will save you moeny in a long run since carseats and strollers are sooo expensive these days just dont get the carseats that have plastic peices you gotta put one ontop of the other to buckle the kid in those are pain in the butt i'm in search of a new carseat cuz the one i had with my first daugther was like that and i hated it.

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I have 1 child & live in Washington

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☼ Lindsay ☼

855 posts

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posted 25th Oct '07

i would definitely go with the travel system. its sooo much easier in the long run, most come with a base that stays in the car so all you have to do is set the seat down.. its GREAT on rainy days when u want to get in the car fast. lol..

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I have 2 kids & live in Kentucky

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.chele.

23917 posts

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posted 26th Oct '07

whatsername80 wrote: Hehe (: Thought it might be helpful...especially since I have a question already!! Whats everyones opinions ... [snip!] ... I've heard that they're really good from some people, and then from other people that they're a waste of time and money...

Definitely get the Diaper Genie II! The first was was seriously complicated & I never used it...such a waste! But, I love the DG II! It's super easy to use, totally keeps the stink in...and my lazy butt doesn't have to run down stairs all the time just to throw away a diaper!

Travel systems: Convenient for sure! However, we don't have an actual "travel system"! Both pieces are made by different companies but, work together using an adaptor! I prefer this to actual sets that match because the carseat I love is in a brand I would never buy a stroller from! This way I get exactly what I want! So don't think that just because you like a certain infant carrier you have to buy that brand stroller...I would say 75% of car seats and strollers are interchangeable, the most adaptable being the Graco Snugride and Safeseat! Plus. most jogging strollers can also be used as travel systems! SO you have A LOT of options!

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I have 4 kids & live in Savannah, Georgia

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eapoosmama14 posts

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posted 26th Oct '07

diaper genies.

we called them diaper sausages. a huge waste of plastic on top of a huge waste of plastic. Now setting aside my personal opinion -- go and subscribe to your local www.freecycle@yahoo.com group and see for yourself just how many useless diaper genies cannot be given away.

The wallstreet jounal this morning just did a piece on baby products and the most noted waste of money was the diaper wipe warmer. Comment included that it is nice but who wants to have a screaming baby continue to scream at 2:00 am for a diaper change while you wait for the warmer to get your wipes warm? So true.

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I live in Pennsylvania

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inkedmama198432 posts

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posted 26th Oct '07

also if you have an older child anywhere up to i belive 3 years who dont always like walking there these strollers where the carseat goes in front like normal and the older child can sit or stand in the back they are about 119.-299 depending on model these do not come with carseats. but worth it cuz they are much less bulky like a regular twin stroller i plan on getting one for my daugther and the baby i'm pregnant with

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I have 1 child & live in Washington

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☼ Lindsay ☼

855 posts

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posted 26th Oct '07

I thought about getting one of those where the older child sits or stands in the back, but the more i thought about it, i decided its a big no for us. I mean, my son is 2 1/2 and he would NEVER just ride on the back without getting off whenever he seen something he liked or just for the fun of it...id probably be chsing him around trying to get him to get on all the time.

re: To Buy, or Not to buy...that is the question.

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